Achieving Mastery of Space Operations by Transforming Space Logistics

Logistics Spectrum, Jan-Mar 2005 by Snead, James Michael

This hangar configuration provides three separately pressurizable sections - the main hangar deck, the spherical work bay and the upper internal work compartments. Vehicle and satellite servicing, cargo unloading and passenger transfer would take place in the main hangar deck. Large component servicing and zero-g training would be performed in the spherical work bay. Bench-level component servicing would be undertaken in the work compartments.

While this space hangar is quite large when compared with the ISS modules, it is only about 20 percent larger in diameter and about the same length as the Shuttle's External Tank. Hence, it would be built using the same manufacturing methods used today to build the External Tank or improved methods such as spin forming. Either way it would probably be built on the same manufacturing line that would build the center core propellant tanks for the Super Heavy Spacelifter.

The Space Logistics Base, shown in Figure 4, uses two hangars. These are mounted on "top" of a long structural truss that serves as a "space dock" for assembling and supporting large space platforms and spacecraft. The hangars face in opposite directions to de-conflict the movement of cargo and vehicles into the hangars. In between the two hangars are "recycled" center core propellant tanks from the Super Heavy Spacelifters used to launch the hangars. These are used to store the air when the hangars are evacuated. On top of the hangars, within the rectangular array of solar arrays and waste heat radiators, is the crew module. It includes the command and control facility, crew support and crew rest quarters for a crew size of about 20. This base design would require five Super Heavy Spacelifter flights to launch the base's larger components such as the twin hangars. On the order of 40 reusable space access flights per year, over a period of about two years, would be required to transport the smaller components, the construction personnel, and their equipment and supplies to orbit. Building this base would make first use of the Super Heavy Spacelifter and would use much of the extra capacity of the reusable space access systems during their first years of operation.

Once operational, the Space Logistics Base would provide a base of operations for supporting on-orbit assembly and servicing of satellites, supporting in-space business operations, and assembling other space facilities, large space platforms and spacecraft. It would also provide a base of operations for reusable inspace mobility systems that would deploy and recover satellites. The initial Space Logistics Base would probably be assembled in a 28 deg inclination orbit, which equates to a due east launch from KSC. This maximizes the launch performance of the new space access systems and provides a base suitable for supporting logistics operations to geostationary orbit and to lunar orbit. Future bases may be positioned at higher or lower orbital inclinations, depending on mission needs. It is also possible that smaller versions of this base may be assembled in lunar orbit or geostationary orbit to further expand in-space logistics support capabilities.